The United Nations officially marked 2nd November for the first time since the resolution was adopted last year. The day was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on that day in 2013.

Chanting “We ask to stop the jailing and killing of journalists,” about 100 demonstrators including journalists and democracy activists gathered before walking to Sule Pagoda in Yangon to pay their respects to those journalists in Myanmar who have lost their lives or are incarcerated.

Explaining the importance of the day, lawyer U Robert San Aung said journalists in Myanmar have been threatened and abused by the government and even the religious community.

According to one of the protestors, people demonstrated not only over cases which have already happened but also with concern about future threats to journalists in Myanmar.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution concerning the welfare of journalists at its 68th session in 2013. The resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. It also urges UN Member States to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies, according to UNESCO.